Joseph and Del Rio exchange remarks about Stewart's hit on Cooper

Raiders receiver Amari Cooper left Sunday’s game with a concussion after being hit by Broncos safety Darian Stewart.

After the game, Oakland coach Jack Del Rio called the hit “vicious” and said Stewart “clearly” targeting the head of a defenseless player. Denver coach Vance Joseph did not appreciate those remarks.

“As a coach, when things happen on the field you have to go back and watch the tape before you make comments like that,” Joseph said Monday. “I will say that. There were four-five plays in that game that I didn’t like either, but I wouldn’t speak on that after a football game. I would go back and watch the tape and make sure that was what it was.

“Now, speaking about Stew’s play, Stew was trying to avoid the guy. Stew hurt himself avoiding hitting the kid in the neck and the head area. The ball was thrown way inside of the hash and it was thrown high, Stew went to make a play on the ball and the receiver ducked in my opinion.

“Stew pulled his head out to not make helmet-to-helmet contact and lowered his shoulder. Cooper’s head is under Darian’s elbow. To me, it was a good football play. So it was not a dirty play in my opinion. Again, I speak for our guys only.”

After watching the game film, Del Rio admitted Monday that he may have been too quick to criticize Stewart.

“I think Amari did duck his head as the guy was approaching,” Del Rio said, according to Raiders Wire. “That makes it a little harder on the defender.

“That was probably the one piece that I didn’t have access to prior to that comment. The reality is, it’s harder to be a defensive guy when the offensive guy is ducking his head. That makes it a little more complicated.”